Cuomo Calls on FBI to Investigate ‘Proud Boys’ Violence

‘DEMONIZING DIFFERENCES’

Updated Oct. 14, 2018 2:42PM ET / Published Oct. 14, 2018 2:23PM ET

Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday called on the FBI to investigate violence that erupted in Manhattan following a speech by the leader of the far-right group “Proud Boys.” Three people have been arrested in connection with the violence late Friday night, but videos shot by witnesses showed dozens of Proud Boy members involved in multiple street fights. In one case, members of the group reportedly ambushed a man and began stomping on him once he was on the ground, with someone heard yelling “faggot” in the background. It wasn't immediately clear whether the three men arrested—Finbarr Slonim, Kai Russo, and Caleb Perkins—were members of the Proud Boys or part of a separate group of counter-protesters. “The bottom line is that I hold the President responsible for demonizing differences, fanning the flames of racism and division and creating a fire of hatred and violence,” Cuomo said Sunday. He has directed the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to work with the FBI and NYPD to investigate the Proud Boys’ involvement in Friday night’s brawls, as well as any other “acts of violence” by the group in the state. He also slammed the Republican Party for inviting the “hate group” to speak at the Metropolitan Republican Club despite their “history of inciting violence.”